10 Things to do for School Psychology Week – November 14-18, 2011
The following are 10 items that should be on every school psychologist’s list of things to do to commemorate California School Psychology Week. Do one, two or more to help get the word out about school psychology and what you do for your schools.
This year’s poster is in development. A color version will be on the CASP website as soon as it is completed. Hang it in a conspicuous place at school – front office, teachers’ lounge, bulletin board – to remind your school community about the importance of school psychology. A black and white version will be available in the printed edition of CASP Today.
School Psychology Week PowerPoint is available on the CASP website. Click on Events on the Home Page at www.casponline.org. Review it, download it to your computer and write yourself a few notes. Then share the slide show about what school psychologists do in schools to a range of audiences.
Raise your visibility with school board members. Changes in the way schools provide mental health services to students will bring new responsibilities to school psychologists this year. It’s time to remind school boards, administrators, teachers and others that school psychologists are the mental health professionals in the schools. What a great time to remind them of School Psychology Week! Schedule a presentation before your local school board, using both the poster and the School Psychology Week PowerPoint. Be sure to have a personal story ready to tell about how you made learning easier for one of the district’s students (without identifying that student, of course).
Raise the stakes by scheduling a meeting with your local assembly member, state senator or congressman to discuss your services. Ask your state legislator to introduce a proclamation specifically designating School Psychology Week or simply recognizing the important role the profession plays in children’s education and development.
Go back to school – your university, that is. Ask one of your professors if you can do a presentation about the importance of joining the California Association of School Psychologists. Tell the students of the opportunities the association presents for students, such as presenting at the annual convention, writing for CASP Today and Contemporary School Psychology. Remind the students that CASP is school psychologists’ voice in Sacramento.
Do you know school psychologists who are not CASP members? Isn’t it time they joined? All school psychologists reap the benefits of having a professional association. But CASP can’t continue to survive unless school psychologists get active in their professional community. Remind your colleagues that membership is only $14.20 per month if they sign up or renew before January 1 of each year.
Volunteer for a project or program at your school. Is there a school dance coming up? How about a carnival? Does your PTA need more school employees to be involved? Join up! Let them know you are the school psychologist and that you are a strong member of the school community.
Be a hero. The California School Psychology Foundation has grants of up to $500 for CASP members to use to pay for items that the school district otherwise would not find room for in its budget. You could purchase a uniform or two for students who cannot afford them. You could use the money for a new program you would like to launch at one of your schools. Take a good look at your schools – you’ll find some way to spend the money. Applications are online at www.casponline.org.
CASP’s eScrip Program. And, while you’re finding ways to use that $500 grant (see item above), join CASP’s eScrip program. The program provides financial support for projects designed to provide direct benefit to students in grades K-12. Every time you use your credit card the CSPF received between 2-5% back. And it costs you nothing! Donations will assist with the CSPF Mini-Grant program which promotes effective interventions that address both learning and social/emotional issues that impeded a child’s success and happiness while embracing individual and group differences in children. To sign up follow these easy three steps: 1) Go to http://www.escrip.com; 2) Look up the Group Name: Ca School Psychology Foundation or Group ID: 500000472; 3) Register your rewards information, such as your Visa or MasterCard. To see a complete list of merchants go to: http://www.escrip.com/merchants/search/results.jsp?pager.offset=0
Be visible. Write about an incident (making sure nobody can be identified) that happened at one of your schools and how it was successfully resolved. Send it to the local newspaper or the editor of the school district newsletter. If you are at a middle or high school with a studio, start a radio program or answer an “ask the school psychologist” question a few times a month during the daily bulletin. Talk about bullying, suicide, drug use and how to survive high school. Let everyone in the school community know that your door is open.